In 2014, the number of users of mobile devices outweighed the number of desktop computer users worldwide, according to an article on Smartinsights.com. Now in 2016, the time users spend accessing mobile digital media is significantly higher at 51 percent compared to on desktop at 42 percent. Since many people sit behind a desktop computer during business hours, it’s often the last thing they want to do when they get home!

The question is no long whether to consider mobile users. Now it is critical to do so and respond to where technology is leading us. It’s no different in the e-learning industry. To engage learners and futureproof training offerings, you should consider developing e-learning that provides a satisfactory mobile experience. However, it is not as simple as enabling e-learning on mobile devices as mobile learning (m-learning) is an entirely new approach than traditional e-learning.

Let’s explore the differences between m-learning and traditional e-learning.

Microlearning is bite-sized learning

Online learning is moving toward a modular microlearning approach where e-learning is split into short, concise and dynamic learning moments, each focusing on a single learning objective or nugget of information. The main advantage is that delivering learning in alignment with attention span can increase knowledge retention.

Learners “pulling” information as required

Traditional e-learning can be described as a “push” approach, where information is presented to the learner whether it is immediately required or not. In contrast, m-learning is a “pull” approach, allowing learners to access information as and when they need it. By nature, m-learning is a learner-centric delivery method that places the learner in control.

Ultimate flexibility

The rise of mobile devices is changing the way people work. With the decrease need to be deskbound, the flexible workplace is emerging where employees might not even have a fixed workstation and can move around and work in a range of different locations. M-learning fits into this new concept well since learning can also be completed anywhere, at any time. For example, an employee might be working offsite and can fit in microlearning modules around work tasks or even on the commute home.

The following table provides an overview how m-learning differs from e-learning.